Notts County FC Youth Team

MICK LEONARDAcademy Manager

As a player, Leonard made 204 League appearances for County between 1979 and 1988 but returned to head up the new Academy in 2008.

The Centre of Excellence and youth set-ups were axed in May 2006 as part of a major cost-cutting exercise and Leonard was tasked with re-building the Academy from the ground up.

Previously an academy director in Dubai and the national goalkeeping coach for the New Zealand FA, Leonard brought a wealth of experience to the role.

He has ensured that the Academy has flourished even in its infancy with a number of players, such as Fabian Spiess, Haydn Hollis and Greg Tempest, going on to play first team football.

AMMY NINJELead Development Coach

Ninje arrived at Meadow Lane at the beginning of the 2013.14 campaign with the aim of preparing the club’s 12 to 16-year-old’s for the step up to youth team football.

As well as working in the Academy, the Tanzanian, who played professionally in South Africa, coaches the Under-18s on a day-to-day basis.

A talented coach, with experience in Denmark, America and in England with Hull City, Ninje focuses on getting the young Notts players to approach football in the right way by keeping the ball on the ground.

DANIEL LEIVERSYouth Team Performance Analyst

Leivers took on the role of youth team performance analyst in the summer of 2013.

The former Football in the Community education officer provides reports to the Academy staff that will help with the coaching of the youth team players.

Leivers also coaches in the Academy and is currently carrying out his A Licence.

TONY TOMPOSYouth Team Physiotherapist

Tompos joined Notts County ahead of the 2014.15 campaign from League 2 Accrington Stanley.

Tompos leads the treatment and rehabilitation of injuries programme for all Academy players, from Under-9s through to the Under-18s.

He also delivers nutritional strategies, strength and conditioning programmes and psychological support to all youth team players.

PETER JARVISYouth Co-ordinator & Welfare Officer

Jarvis looks after the administration and welfare of the players from Under-9s all the way through to the Under-18s.

The qualified UEFA B Licence coach is able to combine his role alongside coaching in the Academy.

Jarvis has coached in Australia, Ghana and the USA and holds a Master’s degree in Sports Psychology, having graduated rom Liverpool John Moores University.

MONTY PARKESGoalkeeper (First Year)

Good shot stopper, who has been with the club since the Under-13s. Parkes already has experience of youth team football, having stepped up from the Academy on multiple occasions.

RHYS MYERSDefender (Second Year)

Local lad who came through the Academy ranks to earn a place in the youth team squad. A big, strong and quick defender, Myers is comfortable at centre-back and right-back.

KIERAN DUNCANDefender (Second Year)

Ball-playing left-sided centre-back, better known as ‘Jimmy’ by his teammates. Duncan has appeared for the development squad at left-back during 2013.14 and will be looking to show that he has the potential to step up to the senior ranks in his second year.

KENAN LAYTONDefender (First Year)

Tough left-footed centre-back, who is relaxed in possession and a natural ball player. Layton signed for the club as an Under-16 from local outfit Underwood.

JORDAN RICHARDSDefender (Second Year)

Son of Notts County legend Pedro Richards, who played for the Magpies between 1974 and 1986. Also a right-back, Richards possesses lightning pace and is also comfortable out wide.

KYLE SYMONSDefender (Second Year)

Derbyshire-based left-back who joined the club at the end of the 2012.13 campaign. Good on the ball, the former Nottingham Forest Academy player likes to get forward at every opportunity. Symons has been capped at youth international level for Northern Ireland and showed that he can have a bright future in the game with his pre-season displays for the first team ahead of the 2014.15 campaign.

JAKE PAYLINGDefender (First Year)

Attacking left-back who possesses plenty of pace. Payling is an aggressive player who is never afraid to run at defenders with the ball at his feet.

BEN BROWNEMidfielder (First Year)

Holding midfielder who has been with the Academy since the early reformation years. A good passer of the ball who will be key to breaking down opposition defences.

GINO KELLEHERMidfielder (Second Year)

A central midfielder who also feels at home in a more advanced role. Kelleher is a well-rounded player with the ability to unlock opposition defences.

JACK McMILLANMidfielder (First Year)

Attacking midfielder, signed from West Brom as an Under-16. McMillan is also a threat from dead ball situations, as a set-piece specialist.

LARTEY SARPONGMidfielder (Second Year)

A player brought to Nottingham from Bromley FC after being spotted by one of the club’s London-based scouts. The defensive midfielder has great distribution and is strong in the tackle.

LUTHER WILDINMidfielder (First Year)

Signed last season from Highfield Rangers. The box-to-box midfielder is a hard working player and comes out on top in fitness drills.

PAOLOS BERAKIMidfielder (First Year)

Eritrea-born midfielder who has been with the club since the age of 13. An attack-minded player, Beraki is a useful tool for the youth team going forward.

KIERAN BLANEYMidfielder (First Year)

Pacy winger with a strong left foot. Loves to run at full-backs and take on his man at every opportunity.

REECE FYFEMidfielder (Second Year)

An old-fashioned winger with tricky feet and a dangerous cross, the Nottingham-raised player has already shown that he has an eye for the spectacular finish. Fyfe has caught the eye of the County fans during his exciting displays for the first team in pre-season and is expected to make further strides as he competes for a senior deal.

COLBY BISHOPStriker (Second Year)

Bishop only agreed to join the club on scholarship terms late into 2013 but he was soon included in the first team for training. An impressive nine goals in four youth team appearances caught the attention of Shaun Derry and the hotshot soon found himself in the senior matchday squads. A natural finisher in and around the box, the former Central College Nottingham student could have a bright future in the game if he continues to develop.

ELLIOT BROWNStriker (Second Year)

West Bridgford-based striker who has a fantastic attitude and made great strides during 2013.14. Brown will never allow defenders a moment of rest and gives 100 per cent every game without fail.

ALEX KENLOCKStriker (Second Year)

Arrived at Meadow Lane at the end of 2012.13 to earn a place in the youth team squad for the following season. The frontman is blessed with plenty of pace and power and has the potential to cause the opposition defences plenty of problems.